Direct mode communication network apparatus

ABSTRACT

A direct mode communication network apparatus is provided. The direct mode communication network apparatus estimates a connection time and a proximity time of different client direct mode communication apparatuses according to apparatus information of the different client direct mode communication apparatuses. The direct mode communication network apparatus establishes a direct mode communication connection between the client direct mode communication apparatuses if the proximity time is greater than the connection time.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/950,845 filed on Mar. 11, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a direct mode communication networkapparatus; and more particularly, the direct mode communication networkapparatus of the present invention determines whether to create a directmode communication connection through estimation of a proximity time anda connection time.

BACKGROUND

In the conventional direct mode communication technologies, clientdirect mode communication apparatuses which are to create a direct modecommunication connection therebetween primarily determine whether theyare located within each other's communication ranges. If they arelocated within each other's communication ranges, a direct modecommunication connection will be created therebetween to transmit data;and otherwise, the direct mode communication connection will not becreated.

However, most of the client direct mode communication apparatuses are ina moving status. Therefore, if the client direct mode communicationapparatuses that are creating a direct mode communication connectiontherebetween leave each other's communication ranges, failure increation of the direct mode communication connection or incomplete datatransmission will take place. This will make it impossible to accomplishthe direct mode communication between the client direct modecommunication apparatuses, thus causing waste of the network resourcesand a decrease in the overall transmission efficiency.

Similarly, in the conventional direct mode communication technologies,the client direct mode communication apparatuses determine whether toswitch between network coverages of base stations mainly according tosystem information block (SIB) messages and S-criteria conditions.However, it cannot allow for accurate and timely switching either, andalso causes waste of the network resources and a decrease in the overalltransmission efficiency.

Accordingly, efforts still have to be made in the art to provide asolution capable of improving the way of creating a direct modecommunication connection and the way of detecting network coverage so asto effectively reduce errors caused by incomplete data transmission andsignificantly improve the utilization efficiency of the networkresources.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus, whichcomprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit. Theinformation retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a piece of firstclient information and a piece of second client information of a firstclient direct mode communication apparatus and a second client directmode communication apparatus respectively. The processing unit isconfigured to: calculate a first communication connection estimated timeand a first apparatus proximity estimated time between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus according to the first client information andthe second client information; determine that the first apparatusproximity estimated time is greater than the first communicationconnection estimated time; and create a direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatusand the second client direct mode communication apparatus according tothe result that the first apparatus proximity estimated time is greaterthan the first communication connection estimated time.

Further disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus,which comprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit.The information retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a piece ofclient information of a client direct mode communication apparatus. Theprocessing unit is configured to: determine a network status estimatedtime and a network switching estimated time of the client direct modecommunication apparatus according to the client information; determinethat the network status estimated time is smaller than the networkswitching estimated time; and perform network switching of the clientdirect mode communication apparatus according to the result that thenetwork status estimated time is smaller than the network switchingestimated time.

Also disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus, whichcomprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit. Theinformation retrieving unit is configured to retrieve a firstcommunication power of a first client direct mode communicationapparatus and a second communication power of a second client directmode communication apparatus. The processing unit is configured to:determine a first relative communication power between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus according to the first communication power andthe second communication power; determine that the first relativecommunication power is greater than a direct mode communication requiredpower; and create a direct mode communication connection between thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus according to the result that thefirst relative communication power is greater than the direct modecommunication required power.

Further disclosed is a direct mode communication network apparatus,which comprises an information retrieving unit and a processing unit.The information retrieving unit is configured to retrieve acommunication power of a client direct mode communication apparatus. Theprocessing unit is configured to: determine a relative communicationpower according to the communication power; determine that the relativecommunication power is greater than or smaller than a communicationrequired power; and perform network switching of the client direct modecommunication apparatus according to the result that the relativecommunication power is greater than or smaller than the communicationrequired power.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for thesubject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanyingthe appended drawings for people skilled in this field to wellappreciate the features of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 73 according to the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 8 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 according to the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 9 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 8 a according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a according to the tenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 9 a according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a according to the eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12A is a schematic view of a direct mode communication networksystem 9 b according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a block diagram of a direct mode communication networkapparatus 93 according to the twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connectioncreating method according to a thirteenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connectioncreating method according to a fourteenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connectioncreating method according to a fifteenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 16A˜16B are flowchart diagrams of a direct mode communicationconnection creating method according to a sixteenth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connectioncreating method according to a seventeenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connectioncreating method according to an eighteenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart diagram of a direct mode communication connectioncreating method according to a nineteenth embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 20A˜20B are flowchart diagram of a direct mode communicationconnection creating method according to a twentieth embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the present invention will be explainedwith reference to certain example embodiments thereof. It shall beappreciated that, these example embodiments are not intended to limitthe present invention to any specific examples, embodiments,environment, applications or particular implementations described inthese embodiments. Therefore, description of these example embodimentsis only for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the presentinvention, and the scope of this application shall be governed by theclaims.

In the following embodiments and the attached drawings, elementsunrelated to the present invention are omitted from depiction; anddimensional relationships among individual elements in the attacheddrawings are illustrated only for ease of understanding, but not tolimit the actual scale.

Please refer to FIGS. 1A˜1B. FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 1 according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention. The direct mode communication network system 1comprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 11, a firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13 and a second client directmode communication apparatus 15. It shall be particularly appreciatedthat, the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 in the firstembodiment is a base station. FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a directmode communication network apparatus 11 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 11 comprises an information retrieving unit 111 (e.g.,a network transceiver) and a processing unit 113. Interactions among theindividual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 has aconnection with the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15respectively, so the information retrieving unit 111 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 retrieves a piece of first clientinformation 130 and a piece of second client information 150 from thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 15 respectively.

Then, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 calculates a first communication connection estimated timeCT1 and a first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 between the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 15 according to the first clientinformation 130 and the second client information 150.

Further speaking, the first client information 130 may comprise relatedinformation such as the velocity, the location, and the acceleration ofthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 13. Likewise, thesecond client information 150 may comprise related information such asthe velocity, the location, and the acceleration of the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 15. Thereby, the processing unit 113of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 can determinetrajectories of the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15, andestimate the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 available forcommunication between the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus15.

On the other hand, the first client information 130 may comprise relatedinformation such as the network transmission capability of the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13. Likewise, the firstclient information 150 may comprise related information such as thenetwork transmission capability of the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 11 can estimate a firstcommunication connection estimated time CT1 for connection creation anddata transmission between the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus15.

Afterwards, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 11 determines whether the first apparatus proximityestimated time PT1 is greater than the first communication connectionestimated time CT1. If the answer is “yes”, then it means that the timeavailable for communication between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is greater than the time for connectioncreation and data transmission, and accordingly, the processing unit 113of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 notifies the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 15 to create a direct modecommunication connection 10 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 determines that the first apparatusproximity estimated time PT1 is smaller than the first communicationconnection estimated time CT1, then it means that the time available forcommunication between the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus15 is smaller than the time for connection creation and datatransmission (i.e., the time available for communication therebetween isinsufficient to satisfy the time for connection creation and datatransmission). Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 will not create a direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15.

It shall be particularly emphasized that, because the present inventionmainly focuses on use of the estimated times and those skilled in theart shall readily understand from the aforesaid descriptions (1) how toestimate the apparatus proximity time according to such relatedinformation as the location and velocity of the apparatus and (2) how toestimate the connection creation and data transmission time of theapparatus according to the network transmission capability of theapparatus, these will not be further described herein.

Please refer to FIGS. 2A˜2B. FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 2 according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention. The architecture of the second embodiment issimilar to that of the first embodiment, so elements represented by thesame symbols also have the same functions and will not be furtherdescribed herein. The second embodiment will mainly describe the step ofcreating a direct mode communication connection in more detail.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 must confirmwhether there is a requirement for creating a connection between clientsbefore determining whether a direct mode communication connection is tobe created between the clients. Specifically, the information retrievingunit 111 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 firstlyretrieves a direct mode communication requirement REQ1 from the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 15. The direct mode communicationrequirement REQ1 may be initiated by the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 or the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15.

After having confirmed that the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus15 have a requirement for creating a connection therebetween, theprocessing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus11 retrieves a piece of first client information 130 and a piece ofsecond client information 150 from the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 respectively according to the direct modecommunication requirement REQ1.

Likewise, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 11 then calculates a first communication connectionestimated time CT1 and a first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 15 according to thefirst client information 130 and the second client information 150.

In the second embodiment, the first communication connection estimatedtime CT1 comprises a first connection creation estimated time ET1 and afirst data transmission estimated time DT1. Further speaking, the firstcommunication connection estimated time CT1 represents an overallconnection time, and may be subdivided into a first connection creationestimated time ET1 for connection creation and a first data transmissionestimated time DT1 for data transmission.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors of theaforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerableranges, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 can directly decide whether to create a direct modecommunication connection according to the determination result ofwhether the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 is greater thanthe first communication connection estimated time CT1. However, to avoidfalse determinations, a threshold value is additionally used in thesecond embodiment.

More specifically, in the second embodiment, the processing unit 113 ofthe direct mode communication network apparatus 11 further determineswhether the first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1 minus the firstcommunication connection estimated time CT1 is greater than a presettime threshold value TH1. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, afterdeducting the time for connection creation and data transmission, thetime available for communication between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is still greater than the preset time valuethat is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 ofthe direct mode communication network apparatus 11 notifies the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 15 to create a direct modecommunication connection 10 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 determines that the first apparatusproximity estimated time PT1 minus the first communication connectionestimated time CT1 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH1,it means that, after deducting the time for connection creation and datatransmission, the time available for communication between the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset timevalue that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 will notcreate a direct mode communication connection between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15.

Please refer to FIGS. 3A˜3B. FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 3 according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention. The architecture of the third embodiment issimilar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented bythe same symbols also have the same functions and will not be furtherdescribed herein. The third embodiment is mainly intended to furtherdescribe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 111 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 retrieves a piece of first clientinformation 130 and a piece of second client information 150 from thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 15 respectively, and theprocessing unit 113 calculates a first communication connectionestimated time CT1 and a first apparatus proximity estimated time PT1between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 15 according to thefirst client information 130 and the second client information 150.

Then, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 determines whether the first apparatus proximity estimatedtime PT1 is greater than the first communication connection estimatedtime CT1. If the answer is “yes”, then the processing unit 113 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 11 creates a direct modecommunication connection 10 between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15. If the answer is “no”, then the direct modecommunication connection will not be created between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15.

In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the direct modecommunication connection 10 has been created, and then the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 can dynamically and recursivelydetermine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communicationconnection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection10 has been created, the information retrieving unit 111 of the directmode communication network apparatus 11 further retrieves a piece ofthird client information 132 from the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and retrieves a piece of fourth clientinformation 152 from the second client direct mode communicationapparatus 15. The processing unit 113 calculates a second communicationconnection estimated time CT2 and a second apparatus proximity estimatedtime PT2 between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 13and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 15 accordingto the third client information 132 and the fourth client information152.

Similarly, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 11 determines whether the second apparatus proximityestimated time PT2 is greater than the second communication connectionestimated time CT2. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updatedtime available for communication between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is greater than the updated time forconnection creation and data transmission; and accordingly, theprocessing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus11 maintains the direct mode communication connection 10 between thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 15.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 determines that the second apparatusproximity estimated time PT2 is smaller than the second communicationconnection estimated time CT2, it means that the updated time availablefor communication between the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 13 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus15 is smaller than the updated time for connection creation and datatransmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 113 of the directmode communication network apparatus 11 may change the direct modecommunication connection 10 between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 into a backhaul network connection.

It shall also be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors ofthe aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerableranges, the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 11 can directly decide whether to maintain the direct modecommunication connection according to the determination result ofwhether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 is greaterthan the second communication connection estimated time CT2. However, toavoid false determinations, a threshold value is additionally used inthe third embodiment.

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the second communicationconnection estimated time CT2 may comprise an infrastructure connectioncreation estimated time IT1, and the processing unit 113 of the directmode communication network apparatus 11 further determines whether thesecond apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructureconnection creation estimated time IT1 is greater than a preset timethreshold value TH2. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, afterdeducting the time available for changing into the backhaulinfrastructure connection, the time available for communication betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 15 is still greater than thepreset time value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, theprocessing unit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus11 maintains the direct mode communication connection 10 between thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 15.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 113 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 further determines that the secondapparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructureconnection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller than the preset timethreshold value TH2, it means that, after deducting the time availablefor changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the timeavailable for communication between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset time value that isconsidered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 113 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 11 changes the direct modecommunication connection 10 between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 into the backhaul network connection.

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the second communicationconnection estimated time CT2 may also comprise the infrastructureconnection creation estimated time IT1 and a second data transmissionestimated time DT2. Then, the processing unit 113 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 11 further determines whether the secondapparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus the infrastructureconnection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller than the preset timethreshold value TH2 and determines whether the second apparatusproximity estimated time PT2 minus the second data transmissionestimated time DT2 is greater than a preset time threshold value TH3.

If the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus theinfrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is smaller thanthe preset time threshold value TH2, it means that, after deducting thetime for changing into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the timeavailable for communication between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is smaller than the preset time value that isconsidered to be safe. However, besides changing into the backhaulconnection, it may also be determined whether to complete the datatransmission.

In detail, if the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minusthe infrastructure connection creation estimated time IT1 is smallerthan the preset time threshold value TH2, the processing unit 113 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 11 further determineswhether the second apparatus proximity estimated time PT2 minus thesecond data transmission estimated time DT2 is greater than the presettime threshold value TH3. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, afterdeducting the time for changing the data transmission connection, thetime available for communication between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is still greater than the preset time valuethat is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the direct modecommunication connection 10 between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 is maintained to complete the datatransmission.

Conversely, if the processing unit 113 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 11 further determines that the second apparatusproximity estimated time PT2 minus the second data transmissionestimated time DT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH3,it means that, after deducting the time for changing the datatransmission connection, the time available for communication betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 13 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 15 is smaller than the presettime value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processingunit 113 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 11 changesthe direct mode communication connection 10 between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus 13 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 15 into the backhaul network connection.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode networkcommunication apparatus in the previous embodiments may also be replacedwith a client direct mode communication apparatus so that the aforesaidconnection determinations are accomplished directly by the client directmode communication apparatus. Please refer to FIGS. 4A˜4B. FIG. 4A is aschematic view of a direct mode communication network system 4 accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The direct modecommunication network system 4 comprises a direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 (which is the same as the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 13 described in the first embodiment) and aclient direct mode communication apparatus 45 (which is the same as thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 15 described in thefirst embodiment).

It shall be particularly emphasized that, the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 of the fourth embodiment may be directly a clientdirect mode communication apparatus. FIG. 4B is a block diagram of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 43 according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 comprises an information retrieving unit 431 and aprocessing unit 433. Interactions among the individual elements will befurther described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 retrieves a piece of clientinformation 430 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 43itself, and retrieves a piece of client information 450 from the clientdirect mode communication apparatus 45. Similarly, the processing unit433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 thencalculates a communication connection estimated time CT3 and anapparatus proximity estimated time PT3 between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45 according to the client information 430 andthe client information 450.

Likewise, the client information 430, 450 may comprise relatedinformation such as the velocity, the location and the acceleration ofthe client direct mode communication apparatus. Then the processing unit433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can determinetrajectories of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45, andestimate the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 available forcommunication therebetween. On the other hand, the client information430, 450 may also comprise such related information as the networktransmission capabilities, and accordingly, the processing unit 433 ofthe direct mode communication network apparatus 43 can estimate acommunication connection estimated time CT3 for connection creation anddata transmission between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus45.

Afterwards, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 determines whether the apparatus proximityestimated time PT3 is greater than the communication connectionestimated time CT3. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the timeavailable for communication between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus45 is greater than the time for connection creation and datatransmission. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 directly creates a direct modecommunication connection 40 with the client direct mode communicationapparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatusproximity estimated time PT3 is smaller than the communicationconnection estimated time CT3, it means that the time available forcommunication between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 is smaller thanthe time for connection creation and data transmission (i.e., the timeavailable for communication therebetween is insufficient to satisfy thetime for connection creation and data transmission). Accordingly, theprocessing unit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus43 will not create a direct mode communication connection with theclient direct mode communication apparatus 45.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A˜5B. FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 5 according to a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention. The architecture of the fifth embodiment issimilar to that of the fourth embodiment, so elements represented by thesame symbols also have the same functions and will not be furtherdescribed herein. The fifth embodiment will mainly describe the step ofcreating a direct mode communication connection in more detail.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 must confirmwhether there is a requirement for connection creation beforedetermining whether a direct mode communication connection is to becreated. Specifically, the information retrieving unit 431 of the directmode communication network apparatus 43 firstly determines whether adirect mode communication requirement REQ2 is initiated by the directmode communication network apparatus 43 itself or whether a direct modecommunication requirement REQ2 is retrieved from the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45. In the fifth embodiment, the informationretrieving unit 431 of the direct mode communication network apparatus43 retrieves a direct mode communication requirement REQ2 from theclient direct mode communication apparatus 45.

After having confirmed that the client direct mode communicationapparatus 45 has a requirement for creating a connection, the processingunit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 thenretrieves a piece of client information 430 and a piece of clientinformation 450 from the direct mode communication network apparatus 43itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45respectively according to the direct mode communication requirementREQ2. Likewise, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 then calculates the communication connectionestimated time CT3 and the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 45 according to theclient information 430, 450.

In the fifth embodiment, the communication connection estimated time CT3comprises a connection creation estimated time ET3 and a datatransmission estimated time DT3. Further speaking, the communicationconnection estimated time CT3 represents the overall connection time,and may be subdivided into a connection creation estimated time ET3 forconnection creation and a data transmission estimated time DT3 for datatransmission.

It shall also be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors ofthe aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerableranges, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 can directly decide whether to create a direct modecommunication connection according to the determination result ofwhether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 is greater than thecommunication connection estimated time CT3. However, to avoid falsedeterminations, a threshold value is also additionally used in the fifthembodiment.

More specifically, in the fifth embodiment, the processing unit 433 ofthe direct mode communication network apparatus 43 further determineswhether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT3 minus thecommunication connection estimated time CT3 is greater than a presettime threshold value TH4. If the answer is ‘yes”, it means that, afterdeducting the time for connection creation and data transmission, thetime available for communication between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus45 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to besafe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 creates a direct mode communicationconnection 40 with the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatusproximity estimated time PT3 minus the communication connectionestimated time CT3 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH4,it means that, after deducting the time for connection creation and datatransmission, the time available for communication between the directmode communication network apparatus 43 and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45 is smaller than the preset time value that isconsidered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 43 will not create a directmode communication connection 10 with the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45.

Please refer to FIGS. 6A˜6B. FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 6 according to a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 6B is a block diagram of a direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 according to the sixth embodiment ofthe present invention. The architecture of the sixth embodiment issimilar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented bythe same symbols also have the same functions and will not be furtherdescribed herein. The sixth embodiment is mainly intended to furtherdescribe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 431 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 retrieves a piece of clientinformation 430 and a piece of client information 450 from the directmode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the client directmode communication apparatus 45 respectively, and the processing unit433 calculates a communication connection estimated time CT3 and anapparatus proximity estimated time PT3 between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45 according to the client information 430 andthe client information 450.

Then, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated timePT3 is greater than the communication connection estimated time CT3. Ifthe answer is “yes”, then the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 creates a direct mode communicationconnection 40 between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45. If theanswer is “no”, then the direct mode communication connection will notbe created between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45.

In the sixth embodiment, it is assumed that the direct modecommunication connection 40 has been created, and then the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 can dynamically and recursivelydetermine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communicationconnection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection40 has been created, the information retrieving unit 431 of the directmode communication network apparatus 43 further retrieves a piece ofclient information 432 from the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 itself and retrieves a piece of client information 452 fromthe client direct mode communication apparatus 45. The processing unit433 calculates a communication connection estimated time CT4 and anapparatus proximity estimated time PT4 between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45 according to the client information 432 andthe client information 452.

Similarly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 determines whether the apparatus proximityestimated time PT4 is greater than the communication connectionestimated time CT4. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updatedtime available for communication between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus45 is greater than the updated time for connection creation and datatransmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the directmode communication network apparatus 43 maintains the direct modecommunication connection 40 between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 determines that the apparatusproximity estimated time PT4 is smaller than the communicationconnection estimated time CT4, it means that the updated time availablefor communication between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus45 is smaller than the updated time for connection creation and datatransmission; and accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the directmode communication network apparatus 43 may change the direct modecommunication connection 40 between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communicationapparatus 45 into a backhaul network connection.

It shall also be particularly appreciated that, assuming that errors ofthe aforesaid estimated times can be controlled to be within tolerableranges, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 can directly decide whether to maintain the direct modecommunication connection according to the determination result ofwhether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 is greater than thecommunication connection estimated time CT4. However, to avoid falsedeterminations, a threshold value is also additionally used in the sixthembodiment.

Specifically, in the sixth embodiment, the communication connectionestimated time CT4 may comprise an infrastructure connection creationestimated time IT2, and the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 further determines whether theapparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructureconnection creation estimated time IT2 is greater than a preset timethreshold value TH5. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, afterdeducting the time available for changing into the backhaulinfrastructure connection, the time available for communication betweenthe direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself and the clientdirect mode communication apparatus 45 is still greater than the presettime value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processingunit 433 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 maintainsthe direct mode communication connection 40 between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 itself and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 45.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 433 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 43 further determines that the apparatusproximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connectioncreation estimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset time thresholdvalue TH5, it means that, after deducting the time available forchanging into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time availablefor communication between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus45 is smaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe.Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 changes the direct mode communication connection 40between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and theclient direct mode communication apparatus 45 into the backhaul networkconnection.

More specifically, in the sixth embodiment, the communication connectionestimated time CT4 may also comprise the infrastructure connectioncreation estimated time IT2 and a data transmission estimated time DT4.Then, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 further determines whether the apparatus proximityestimated time PT4 minus the infrastructure connection creationestimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset time threshold value TH5and determines whether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minusthe data transmission estimated time DT4 is greater than a preset timethreshold value TH6.

If the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the infrastructureconnection creation estimated time IT2 is smaller than the preset timethreshold value TH5, it means that, after deducting the time forchanging into the backhaul infrastructure connection, the time availablefor communication between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 issmaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe.However, besides changing into the backhaul connection, it may also bedetermined whether to complete the data transmission.

In detail, if the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus theinfrastructure connection creation estimated time IT2 is smaller thanthe preset time threshold value TH5, the processing unit 433 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 43 further determineswhether the apparatus proximity estimated time PT4 minus the datatransmission estimated time DT4 is greater than the preset timethreshold value TH6. If the answer is “yes”, it means that, afterdeducting the time for changing the data transmission connection, thetime available for communication between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus45 is still greater than the preset time value that is considered to besafe. Accordingly, the direct mode communication connection 40 betweenthe direct mode communication network apparatus 43 and the client directmode communication apparatus 45 is maintained to complete the datatransmission.

Conversely, if the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 determines that the apparatus proximity estimatedtime PT4 minus the data transmission estimated time DT4 is smaller thanthe preset time threshold value TH6, it means that, after deducting thetime for changing the data transmission connection, the time availablefor communication between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 43 and the client direct mode communication apparatus 45 issmaller than the preset time value that is considered to be safe.Accordingly, the processing unit 433 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 43 changes the direct mode communication connection 40between the direct mode communication network apparatus 43 itself andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 45 into the backhaulnetwork connection.

Please refer to FIGS. 7A˜7B. FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 7 according to a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention. The direct mode communication network system 7comprises a base station 71 and a direct mode communication networkapparatus 73. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct modecommunication network apparatus 73 of the seventh embodiment is a clientdirect mode communication apparatus. FIG. 7B is a block diagram of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 73 according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 73 comprises an information retrieving unit 731 (e.g.,a network transceiver) and a processing unit 733. Interactions among theindividual elements will be further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 731 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 73 retrieves a piece of clientinformation 730 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73itself. Then, the processing unit 733 determines a network statusestimated time RT1 and a network switching estimated time ST1 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 73 itself according to theclient information 730, and determines whether the network statusestimated time RT1 is smaller than the network switching estimated timeST1.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that a time during which the directmode communication network apparatus 73 is in its original networkstatus (i.e., the network status estimated time RT1) is smaller than thenetwork switching time (i.e., the network switching estimated time ST1);that is, it means that the direct mode communication network apparatus73 is about to enter into a range where it can create a connection withthe base station 71. Accordingly, the processing unit 733 performsnetwork switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73across the communication boundary of the base station 71.

If the answer is “no”, it means that the time during which the directmode communication network apparatus 73 is in its original networkstatus (i.e., the network status estimated time RT1) is greater than thenetwork switching time (i.e., the network switching estimated time ST1);that is, it means that the direct mode communication network apparatus73 has not come to near the range where it can create a connection withthe base station 71. Accordingly, the processing unit 733 does notperform the network switching of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 73 for the moment.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, the client information 730may comprise a piece of base station location information stored in theclient and a piece of client location information detected in real timeby the client itself. The base station location information comprises ageographic location of the base station that was labeled in advance.Thus, when the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 isreceiving a signal from the base station 71 but has not entered into therange where it can create a symmetric connection with the base station71, the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 can determine arelative distance between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 73 and the base station 71 and a velocity of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 73 according to the client information730 to facilitate calculation of the network status estimated time RT1and the network switching estimated time ST1.

For example, the network status estimated time RT1 is one of anoff-network estimated time and an in-network estimated time. When thedirect mode communication network apparatus 73 is located within a rangewhere it cannot create a symmetric connection with the base station 71,the network status estimated time RT1 is an off-network estimated time.When there is already a symmetric connection between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 73 and the base station 71, the networkstatus estimated time RT1 is an in-network estimated time.

If the network status estimated time RT1 is an off-network estimatedtime, the network switching estimated time ST1 is a time for the directmode communication network apparatus 73 to switch from a network rangewhere it cannot create a symmetric connection with the base station 71to a network range where it can create a symmetric connection with thebase station 71. Thus, if the processing unit 733 determines that thetime during which the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 isin a network range where it cannot create a symmetric connection withthe base station 71 (i.e., RT1) is smaller than the network switchingtime (i.e., ST1), the processing unit 733 performs network switching ofthe direct mode communication network apparatus 73 across thecommunication boundary of the base station 71. Conversely, the networkswitching will not be performed.

On the other hand, if the network status estimated time RT1 is anin-network estimated time, the network switching estimated time ST1 isthe time for the direct mode communication network apparatus 73 toswitch from a network range where it has a symmetric connection with thebase station 71 to a network range where it cannot create a symmetricconnection with the base station 71. Thus, if the processing unit 733determines that the time during which the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 73 itself is located within a network range where thedirect mode communication network apparatus 73 itself has a symmetricconnection with the base station 71 (i.e., RT1) is smaller than thenetwork switching time (i.e., ST1), the processing unit 73 also performsnetwork switching of the direct mode communication network apparatus 73across the communication boundary of the base station 71. Otherwise, thenetwork switching will not be performed.

Please refer to FIGS. 8A˜8B. FIG. 8A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 8 according to an eighth embodiment ofthe present invention. The direct mode communication network system 8comprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 81, a firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 83 and a second client directmode communication apparatus 85. It shall be particularly appreciatedthat, the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 of the eighthembodiment is a base station. FIG. 8B is a block diagram of the directmode communication network apparatus 81 according to the eighthembodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 81 comprises an information retrieving unit 811 and aprocessing unit 813. Interactions among the individual elements will befurther described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 has aconnection with the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85respectively, so the information retrieving unit 811 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 retrieves a first communication power830 and a second communication power 850 from the first client directmode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 respectively.

Then, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 determines a first relative communication power RP1 betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 according to the firstcommunication power 830 and the second communication power 850. Then,the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 determines whether the first relative communication powerRP1 is greater than a direct mode communication required power DP1.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection powerbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is greater than theminimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly,the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 notifies the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus85 to create a direct mode communication connection 80 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 determines that the first relativecommunication power RP1 is smaller than the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1, it means that the relative connection power betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 is smaller than theminimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly,the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 will not create a direct mode communication connectionbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 85.

However, it shall be particularly emphasized that, the power signals arerelatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at asingle specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, atime period (not depicted) may be further used so that the processingunit 813 determines whether the first relative communication power RP1is continuously greater than the direct mode communication requiredpower DP1 within the time period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection powerbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeed greaterthan the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, andaccordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If theanswer is “no”, it means that the relative connection power between thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeed smaller than theminimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and thedirect mode communication connection will not be created.

On the other hand, because the power signals are relatively instable, athreshold value may be additionally used to facilitate the determinationof whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, the processingunit 813 may further determine whether the first relative communicationpower RP1 minus the direct mode communication required power DP1 isgreater than a preset power threshold value TP1.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct modecommunication required power, the relative power between the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 85 is still greater than the presetpower value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processingunit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 notifiesthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 to create a direct modecommunication connection 80 therebetween.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 determines that the firstrelative communication power RP1 minus the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1 is smaller than the preset power threshold value TP1,it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication requiredpower, the relative power between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 is smaller than the preset power value thatis considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 81 will not create a directmode communication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85.

Please refer to FIGS. 9A˜9B. FIG. 9A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 9 according to a ninth embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 9B is a block diagram of a direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 according to the ninth embodiment ofthe present invention. The architecture of the ninth embodiment issimilar to those of the previous embodiments, so elements represented bythe same symbols also have the same functions and will not be furtherdescribed herein. The ninth embodiment is mainly intended to furtherdescribe a recursive dynamic determination step.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 811 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 retrieves a first communication power830 and a second communication power 850 from the first client directmode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 respectively, and the processing unit 813determines a first relative communication power RP1 between the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus 85 according to the firstcommunication power 830 and the second communication power 850.

Then, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 81 determines whether the first relative communication powerRP1 is greater than the direct mode communication required power DP1. Ifthe answer is “yes”, the processing unit 813 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 creates the direct mode communicationconnection 80 between the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus85. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatus83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 will notbe created.

In the ninth embodiment, it is assumed that the direct modecommunication connection 80 has been created, and then the direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 can dynamically and recursivelydetermine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communicationconnection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection80 has been created, the information retrieving unit 811 of the directmode communication network apparatus 81 further retrieves a thirdcommunication power 832 from the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 83 and retrieves a fourth communication power 852 from thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 85. The processingunit 813 determines a second relative communication power RP2 betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 according to the thirdcommunication power 832 and the fourth communication power 852.

Similarly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 81 determines whether the second relativecommunication power RP2 is greater than the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updatedrelative communication power between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 is greater than the minimum required powernecessary for creating a connection; and accordingly, the processingunit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus 81 maintainsthe direct mode communication connection 80 between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 81 determines that the second relativecommunication power RP2 is smaller than the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1, it means that the updated relative communicationpower between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is smallerthan the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection; andaccordingly, the processing unit 813 of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 81 changes the direct mode communication connection 80between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus 85 into a backhaulnetwork connection.

It shall also be particularly emphasized that, the power signals arerelatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at asingle specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, atime period may be used so that the processing unit 813 determineswhether the second relative communication power RP2 is continuouslygreater than the direct mode communication required power DP1 within thetime period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relative connectionpower between the first client direct mode communication apparatus 83and the second client direct mode communication apparatus 85 is indeedgreater than the minimum required power necessary for creating aconnection, and accordingly, a direct mode communication connection iscreated. If the answer is “no”, it means that the updated relativeconnection power between the first client direct mode communicationapparatus 83 and the second client direct mode communication apparatus85 is indeed smaller than the minimum required power necessary forcreating a connection, and the direct mode communication connection willnot be created.

Similarly, a threshold value may be additionally used to facilitate thedetermination of whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, theprocessing unit 813 may further determine whether the second relativecommunication power RP2 minus the direct mode communication requiredpower DP1 is greater than a preset power threshold value TP2. If theanswer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct modecommunication required power, the updated relative power between thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus 83 and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 is still greater than thepreset power value that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, theprocessing unit 813 of the direct mode communication network apparatus81 maintains the direct mode communication connection 80.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 813 determines that the secondrelative communication power RP2 minus the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1 is smaller than the preset power threshold value TP2,it means that, after deducting the direct mode communication requiredpower, the updated relative power between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 is smaller than the preset power value thatis considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 813 of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 81 changes the direct modecommunication connection 80 between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus 83 and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 into a backhaul network connection.

Please refer to FIGS. 10A˜10B. FIG. 10A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 8 a according to a tenth embodiment ofthe present invention. The direct mode communication network system 8 acomprises a direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a and aclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 a. It shall beparticularly appreciated that, the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a of the tenth embodiment is a client direct modecommunication apparatus. FIG. 10B is a block diagram of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a according to the tenth embodimentof the present invention. The direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a comprises an information retrieving unit 831 a and aprocessing unit 833 a. Interactions among the individual elements willbe further described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 831 a of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a retrieves a communication power 850a from the client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a. Theprocessing unit 833 a determines a relative communication power RP1 abetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a and theclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 a according to thecommunication power 850 a. Then, the processing unit 833 a of the directmode communication network apparatus 83 a determines whether therelative communication power RP1 a is greater than a direct modecommunication required power DP1 a.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection powerbetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a and theclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 a is greater than theminimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly,the processing unit 833 a of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a creates a direct mode communication connection 80 abetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a itself andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833 a of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a determines that the relativecommunication power RP1 a is smaller than the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1 a, it means that the relative connection powerbetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a itself andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a is smaller than theminimum required power necessary for creating a connection. Accordingly,the processing unit 833 a of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a will not create a direct mode communication connectionbetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a itself andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a.

However, it shall be particularly emphasized that, the power signals arerelatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at asingle specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, atime period (not depicted) may be further used so that the processingunit 833 a determines whether the relative communication power RP1 a iscontinuously greater than the direct mode communication required powerDP1 a within the time period.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the relative connection powerbetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a itself andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a is indeed greaterthan the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, andaccordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If theanswer is “no”, it means that the relative connection power between thedirect mode communication network apparatus 83 a and the client directmode communication apparatus 85 a is indeed smaller than the minimumrequired power necessary for creating a connection, and accordingly, thedirect mode communication connection will not be created.

On the other hand, also because the power signals are relativelyinstable, a threshold value may be additionally used to facilitate thedetermination of whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, theprocessing unit 833 a may further determine whether the relativecommunication power RP1 a minus the direct mode communication requiredpower DP1 a is greater than a preset power threshold value TP1 a.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct modecommunication required power, the relative power between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a itself and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 a is still greater than the preset powervalue that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit833 a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a createsthe direct mode communication connection 80 a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833 a determines that therelative communication power RP1 a minus the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1 a is smaller than the preset power threshold valueTP1 a, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communicationrequired power, the relative power between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 83 a and the client direct mode communicationapparatus 85 a is smaller than the preset power value that is consideredto be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 833 a of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a will not create a direct modecommunication connection between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus85 a.

Please refer to FIGS. 11A˜11B. FIG. 11A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 9 a according to an eleventhembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a block diagram ofa direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a according to theeleventh embodiment of the present invention. The architecture of theeleventh embodiment is similar to those of the previous embodiments, soelements represented by the same symbols also have the same functionsand will not be further described herein. The eleventh embodiment ismainly intended to further describe a recursive dynamic determinationstep.

Likewise, the information retrieving unit 831 a of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a retrieves a communication power 850a from the client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a, and theprocessing unit 833 a determines a relative communication power RP1 abetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a and theclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 a according to thecommunication power 850 a.

Then, the processing unit 833 a of the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a determines whether the relative communication power RP1 ais greater than a direct mode communication required power DP1 a. If theanswer is “yes”, the processing unit 833 a of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a creates a direct mode communicationconnection 80 a between the direct mode communication network apparatus83 a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a.Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, then the direct mode communicationconnection will not be created between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 83 a and the client direct mode communicationapparatus 85 a.

In the eleventh embodiment, it is assumed that the direct modecommunication connection 80 a has been created, and then the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a can dynamically and recursivelydetermine the necessity for maintaining the direct mode communicationconnection. Specifically, after the direct mode communication connection80 a has been created, the information retrieving unit 831 a of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 83 a further retrieves acommunication power 852 a from the client direct mode communicationapparatus 85 a. The processing unit 833 a then determines a relativecommunication power RP2 a between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a itself and the client direct mode communication apparatus85 a according to the communication power 852 a.

Similarly, the processing unit 833 a of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 83 a determines whether the relative communicationpower RP2 a is greater than the direct mode communication required powerDP1 a. If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relativecommunication power between the direct mode communication networkapparatus 83 a and the client direct mode communication apparatus 85 ais greater than the minimum required power necessary for creating aconnection; and accordingly, the processing unit 833 a of the directmode communication network apparatus 83 a maintains the direct modecommunication connection 80 a between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 83 a and the client direct mode communicationapparatus 85 a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833 a of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a determines that the relativecommunication power RP2 a is smaller than the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1 a, it means that the updated relative communicationpower between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a is smaller than theminimum required power necessary for creating a connection; andaccordingly, the processing unit 833 a of the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 83 a changes the direct mode communication connection80 a between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a itselfand the client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a into a backhaulnetwork connection.

It shall also be particularly emphasized that, the power signals arerelatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at asingle specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, atime period may be used so that the processing unit 833 a determineswhether the relative communication power RP2 a is continuously greaterthan the direct mode communication required power DP1 a within the timeperiod.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the updated relative connectionpower between the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a andthe client direct mode communication apparatus 85 a is indeed greaterthan the minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, andaccordingly, a direct mode communication connection is created. If theanswer is “no”, it means that the updated relative connection powerbetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a and theclient direct mode communication apparatus 85 a is indeed smaller thanthe minimum required power necessary for creating a connection, and thedirect mode communication connection will not be created.

Similarly, a threshold value may be used to facilitate the determinationof whether the power satisfies the need. Specifically, the processingunit 833 a may further determine whether the relative communicationpower RP2 a minus the direct mode communication required power DP1 a isgreater than a preset power threshold value TP2 a. If the answer is“yes”, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communicationrequired power, the updated relative power between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 a is still greater than the preset powervalue that is considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit833 a of the direct mode communication network apparatus 83 a maintainsthe direct mode communication connection 80 a.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 833 a determines that therelative communication power RP2 a minus the direct mode communicationrequired power DP1 a is smaller than the preset power threshold valueTP2 a, it means that, after deducting the direct mode communicationrequired power, the updated relative power between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 83 a and the client direct modecommunication apparatus 85 a is smaller than the preset power value thatis considered to be safe. Accordingly, the processing unit 833 a of thedirect mode communication network apparatus 83 a changes the direct modecommunication connection 80 a between the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 83 a itself and the client direct mode communicationapparatus 85 a into a backhaul network connection.

Please refer to FIGS. 12A˜12B. FIG. 12A is a schematic view of a directmode communication network system 9 b according to a twelfth embodimentof the present invention. The direct mode communication network system 9b comprises a base station 91 and a direct mode communication networkapparatus 93. It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct modecommunication network apparatus 93 of the twelfth embodiment is a clientdirect mode communication apparatus. FIG. 12B is a block diagram of adirect mode communication network apparatus 93 according to the twelfthembodiment of the present invention. The direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus 93 comprises an information retrieving unit 931 and aprocessing unit 933. Interactions among the individual elements will befurther described hereinbelow.

Firstly, the information retrieving unit 931 of the direct modecommunication network apparatus 93 retrieves a communication power 930from the direct mode communication network apparatus 93. Then, theprocessing unit 933 determines a relative communication power RP3according to the communication power 930. Then, the processing unit 933determines whether the relative communication power RP3 is greater thana direct mode communication required power DP3. If the answer is “yes”,it means that the relative communication power between the direct modecommunication network apparatus 93 and the base station 91 allows forcommunication therebetween. Accordingly, the processing unit 933performs network switching so that the direct mode communication networkapparatus 93 switches from outside the network coverage of the basestation 91 into the network coverage of the base station 91.

On the other hand, if the processing unit 933 determines that therelative communication power RP3 is smaller than the direct modecommunication required power DP3, it means that the relative powerbetween the direct mode communication network apparatus 93 and the basestation 91 is still insufficient for communication and, accordingly, theprocessing unit 933 will not perform the network switching.

It shall also be particularly emphasized that, the power signals arerelatively instable, so in order to avoid that the power determined at asingle specific time point is inconsistent with the practical power, atime period may be used so that the processing unit 933 determineswhether the relative communication power RP3 is continuously greaterthan the direct mode communication required power DP3 within the timeperiod.

A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIG. 13. The method of the thirteenth embodiment is for usein a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct modecommunication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments).Steps of the thirteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1301 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to retrieve a piece of first client information and apiece of second client information of a first client direct modecommunication apparatus and a second client direct mode communicationapparatus respectively. Step S1302 is executed to enable the direct modecommunication network apparatus to calculate a first communicationconnection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated timebetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus according to the firstclient information and the second client information.

Then, step S1303 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximityestimated time is greater than the first communication connectionestimated time. If the answer is “yes”, step S1304 is executed to enablethe direct mode communication network apparatus to create a direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1305 is executed toenable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create aninfrastructure connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIG. 14. The method of the fourteenth embodiment is for usein a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct modecommunication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments).Steps of the fourteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1401 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to retrieve a direct mode communication requirement ofa first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second clientdirect mode communication apparatus. Step S1402 is executed to enablethe direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece offirst client information and a piece of second client information of thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus respectively according to the directmode communication requirement.

Then, step S1403 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to calculate a first communication connectionestimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the first clientinformation and the second client information. The first communicationconnection estimated time comprises a first connection creationestimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

Step S1404 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the first communication connection estimated time is greaterthan a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, step S1405is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tocreate a direct mode communication connection between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1406 isexecuted to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tocreate an infrastructure connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

Next, in the fourteenth embodiment, after the step S1405 has beenexecuted and the direct mode communication connection has been createdbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus, a determination maybe further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct modecommunication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. StepS1407 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to dynamically retrieve a piece of third client informationand a piece of fourth client information from the first client directmode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus respectively.

Similarly, step S1408 is executed to enable the direct modecommunication network apparatus to calculate a second communicationconnection estimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimatedtime between the first client direct mode communication apparatus andthe second client direct mode communication apparatus according to thethird client information and the fourth client information. Step S1409is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus todetermine whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time isgreater than the second communication connection estimated time.

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the apparatus proximity time isstill sufficient to complete the communication, and step S1410 isexecuted to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tomaintain the direct mode communication connection between the firstclient direct mode communication apparatus and the second client directmode communication apparatus and the step S1407 is repeated. Otherwise,if the answer is “no”, it means that the apparatus proximity time isinsufficient to complete the communication, and step S1406 is executedto enable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create aninfrastructure connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

A fifteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIG. 15. The method of the fifteenth embodiment is for usein a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct modecommunication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments).Steps of the fifteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1501 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to retrieve a direct mode communication requirement ofa first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second clientdirect mode communication apparatus. Step S1502 is executed to enablethe direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece offirst client information and a piece of second client information of thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus respectively according to the directmode communication requirement.

Then, step S1503 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to calculate a first communication connectionestimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the first clientinformation and the second client information. The first communicationconnection estimated time comprises a first connection creationestimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

Step S1504 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the first communication connection estimated time is greaterthan a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, step S1505is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tocreate a direct mode communication connection between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1506 isexecuted to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tocreate an infrastructure connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

Similarly in the fifteenth embodiment, after the step S1505 has beenexecuted and the direct mode communication connection has been createdbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus, a determination maybe further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct modecommunication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. StepS1507 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to dynamically retrieve a piece of third client informationand a piece of fourth client information from the first client directmode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus respectively.

Next, step S1508 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to calculate a second communication connectionestimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimated time betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the third clientinformation and the fourth client information. The second communicationconnection estimated time comprises an infrastructure connectioncreation estimated time.

Step S1509 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine whether the second apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time isgreater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, itmeans that, after deducting the time for subsequently changing into theinfrastructure connection, the apparatus proximity time is stillsufficient for communication. Thus, step S1510 is executed to enable thedirect mode communication network apparatus to maintain the direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus and the step S1507 is repeated.

Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, it means that, after deducting thetime for subsequently changing into the infrastructure connection fromthe apparatus proximity time, a little time is left. Therefore, in orderto avoid that there is not sufficient time for changing into theinfrastructure connection, step S1506 is executed directly.

A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIGS. 16A˜16B. The method of the sixteenth embodiment is foruse in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the directmode communication network apparatus in one of the previousembodiments). Steps of the sixteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1601 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to retrieve a direct mode communication requirement ofa first client direct mode communication apparatus and a second clientdirect mode communication apparatus. Step S1602 is executed to enablethe direct mode communication network apparatus to retrieve a piece offirst client information and a piece of second client information of thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus respectively according to the directmode communication requirement.

Then, step S1603 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to calculate a first communication connectionestimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated time betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the first clientinformation and the second client information. The first communicationconnection estimated time comprises a first connection creationestimated time and a first data transmission estimated time.

Step S1604 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine whether the first apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the first communication connection estimated time is greaterthan a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, step S1605is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tocreate a direct mode communication connection between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1606 isexecuted to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus tocreate an infrastructure connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

Similarly in the sixteenth embodiment, after the step S1605 has beenexecuted and the direct mode communication connection has been createdbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus, a determination maybe further made dynamically on whether to interrupt the direct modecommunication connection in advance or to maintain the connection. StepS1607 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to dynamically retrieve a piece of third client informationand a piece of fourth client information from the first client directmode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus respectively.

Next, step S1608 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to calculate a second communication connectionestimated time and a second apparatus proximity estimated time betweenthe first client direct mode communication apparatus and the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the third clientinformation and the fourth client information. The second communicationconnection estimated time comprises an infrastructure connectioncreation estimated time and a second data transmission estimated time.

Step S1609 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine whether the second apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time isgreater than a preset time threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, itmeans that, after deducting the time for subsequently changing into theinfrastructure connection, the apparatus proximity time is stillsufficient for communication. Thus, step S1610 is executed to enable thedirect mode communication network apparatus to maintain the direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus and the step S1607 is repeated.

Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, it means that, after deducting thetime for subsequently changing into the infrastructure connection fromthe apparatus proximity time, a little time is left. However, it ispossible that the left time is still sufficient for completing the datatransmission, and if this is true, then it will be unnecessary tosubsequently create the infrastructure connection. Therefore, step S1611is executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus todetermine whether the second apparatus proximity estimated time minusthe second data transmission estimated time is greater than a secondtime threshold value. If the answer is “yes”, the step S1610 isrepeated, and otherwise, the step S1606 is executed straightforwardly.

A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIG. 17. The method of the seventeenth embodiment is for usein a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct modecommunication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments).Steps of the seventeenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1701 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to retrieve a piece of client information of a clientdirect mode communication apparatus. Step S1702 is executed to enablethe direct mode communication network apparatus to determine a networkstatus estimated time and a network switching estimated time of theclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the clientinformation.

Then, step S1703 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine whether the network status estimated timeis smaller than the network switching estimated time. If the answer is“yes”, step S1704 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to perform network switching of the client direct modecommunication apparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, the networkswitching will not be performed, and the step S1701 is repeated. Here,the network status estimated time is one of an off-network estimatedtime and an in-network estimated time.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, a preset time threshold valuemay also be used in the seventeenth embodiment for buffering in thedetermination. In detail, in the step S1703, the direct modecommunication network apparatus may determine whether the network statusestimated time minus the network switching estimated time is smallerthan a preset time threshold value. Thereby, in the same way as whatdescribed in the previous embodiments, the preset time threshold valuecan be used for buffering in the determination so as to avoid falsedetermination caused by an inaccurate estimated time.

An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIG. 18. The method of the eighteenth embodiment is for usein a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct modecommunication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments).Steps of the eighteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1801 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine a first relative communication powerbetween a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to a firstcommunication power of the first client direct mode communicationapparatus and a second communication power of the second client directmode communication apparatus.

Then, step S1802 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine whether the first relative communicationpower is greater than a direct mode communication required power. If theanswer is “yes”, step S1803 is executed to enable the direct modecommunication network apparatus to create a direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatusand the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, ifthe answer is “no”, the direct mode communication connection will not becreated, and the step S1801 is repeated.

A nineteenth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIG. 19. The method of the nineteenth embodiment is for usein a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the direct modecommunication network apparatus in one of the previous embodiments).Steps of the nineteenth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, step S1901 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine a first relative communication powerbetween a first client direct mode communication apparatus and a secondclient direct mode communication apparatus according to a firstcommunication power of the first client direct mode communicationapparatus and a second communication power of the second client directmode communication apparatus.

Then, step S1902 is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine whether the first relative communicationpower minus the direct mode communication required power is continuouslygreater than a preset power threshold value within a time period. If theanswer is “yes”, step S1903 is executed to enable the direct modecommunication network apparatus to create a direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatusand the second client direct mode communication apparatus. Otherwise, ifthe answer is “no”, the direct mode communication connection will not becreated, and the step S1901 is repeated.

Similarly in the nineteenth embodiment, after the direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus has been created, a determination may be further madedynamically on whether to interrupt the direct mode communicationconnection in advance or to maintain the connection. Step S1904 isexecuted to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus todetermine a second relative communication power between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus according to a third communication power of thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus and a fourthcommunication power of the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

Step S1905 is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine whether the second relative communication powerminus the direct mode communication required power is continuouslygreater than the preset power threshold value within a time period. Ifthe answer is “yes”, step S1906 is executed to enable the direct modecommunication network apparatus to maintain the direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, step S1907 is executed toenable the direct mode communication network apparatus to create aninfrastructure connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus.

A twentieth embodiment of the present invention is a direct modecommunication connection creating method, a flowchart diagram of whichis shown in FIGS. 20A˜20B. The method of the twentieth embodiment is foruse in a direct mode communication network apparatus (e.g., the directmode communication network apparatus in one of the previousembodiments). The direct mode communication network apparatus of thetwentieth embodiment is a client direct mode communication apparatus,and steps of the twentieth embodiment are detailed as follows.

Firstly, assume that the direct mode communication network apparatus hasnot created a connection with a base station. In this case, step S2001 ais executed to enable the direct mode communication network apparatus todetermine a relative communication power between the direct modecommunication network apparatus and the base station according to acommunication power of the direct mode communication network apparatusitself. Step S2002 a is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine whether the relative communication poweris continuously greater than a communication required power within atime period. If the answer is “yes”, step S2003 a is executed to enablethe direct mode communication network apparatus to perform networkswitching of the direct mode communication network apparatus itself sothat the direct mode communication network apparatus creates aconnection with the base station. Otherwise, if the answer is “no”, thenetwork switching will not be performed, and the step S2001 a isrepeated.

On the other hand, assume that the direct mode communication networkapparatus has created a connection with a base station. In this case,step S2001 b is executed to enable the direct mode communication networkapparatus to determine a relative communication power between the directmode communication network apparatus and the base station according to acommunication power of the direct mode communication network apparatusitself. Step S2002 b is executed to enable the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus to determine whether the relative communication poweris continuously greater than a communication required power within atime period. If the answer is “yes”, the connection with the basestation is maintained, and step S2001 b is repeated. Otherwise, if theanswer is “no”, step S2003 b is executed to enable the direct modecommunication network apparatus to perform network switching of thedirect mode communication network apparatus itself so that the directmode communication network apparatus disconnects the connection with thebase station.

It shall be particularly appreciated that, the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus in the previous method embodiments may optionally abase station, or be the first or the second client direct modecommunication apparatus per se. Use of different apparatuses in thepresent invention shall be readily appreciated by those skilled in theart upon reviewing the disclosures of the previous embodiments, so thiswill not be further described herein.

According to the above descriptions, the direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus of the present invention estimates the possibility ofcompleting a direct mode communication and selectivity of network rangeswitching mainly according to information of the client direct modecommunication apparatuses, so pre-processing for the network adjustmentcan be done according to the estimation results to effectively improvethe transmission efficiency and save the network resources.

The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents andinventive features thereof. People skilled in this field may proceedwith a variety of modifications and replacements based on thedisclosures and suggestions of the invention as described withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although suchmodifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the abovedescriptions, they have substantially been covered in the followingclaims as appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A direct mode communication network apparatus,comprising: an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrievea piece of first client information and a piece of second clientinformation of a first client direct mode communication apparatus and asecond client direct mode communication apparatus respectively; and aprocessing unit, being configured to: calculate a first communicationconnection estimated time and a first apparatus proximity estimated timebetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus according to the firstclient information and the second client information; determine that thefirst apparatus proximity estimated time is greater than the firstcommunication connection estimated time; and create a direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus according to the result that the first apparatus proximityestimated time is greater than the first communication connectionestimated time.
 2. The direct mode communication network apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the information retrieving unit is further configuredto: retrieve a direct mode communication requirement of the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus; and retrieve the first client information andthe second client information of the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus respectively according to the direct mode communicationrequirement.
 3. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim1, wherein the first communication connection estimated time comprises afirst connection creation estimated time and a first data transmissionestimated time.
 4. The direct mode communication network apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: determinethat the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the firstcommunication connection estimated time is greater than a preset timethreshold value; and create the direct mode communication connectionbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus according to theresult that the first apparatus proximity estimated time minus the firstcommunication connection estimated time is greater than the preset timethreshold value.
 5. The direct mode communication network apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the information retrieving unit is further configuredto retrieve a piece of third client information and a piece of fourthclient information from the first client direct mode communicationapparatus and the second client direct mode communication apparatusrespectively, and the processing unit is further configured to:calculate a second communication connection estimated time and a secondapparatus proximity estimated time between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus according to the third client information and the fourthclient information; determine that the second apparatus proximityestimated time is greater than the second communication connectionestimated time; and maintain the direct mode communication connectionbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus according to theresult that the second apparatus proximity estimated time is greaterthan the second communication connection estimated time.
 6. The directmode communication network apparatus of claim 5, wherein the secondcommunication connection estimated time comprises an infrastructureconnection creation estimated time, and the processing unit is furtherconfigured to: determine that the second apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the infrastructure connection creation estimated time isgreater than a preset time threshold value; and maintain the direct modecommunication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus according to the result that second apparatus proximityestimated time minus the infrastructure connection creation estimatedtime is greater than the preset time threshold value.
 7. The direct modecommunication network apparatus of claim 5, wherein the secondcommunication connection estimated time comprises an infrastructureconnection creation estimated time and a second data transmissionestimated time, and the processing unit is further configured to:determine that the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus theinfrastructure connection creation estimated time is smaller than afirst time threshold value, and the second apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the second data transmission estimated time is greater than asecond time threshold value; and maintain the direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatusand the second client direct mode communication apparatus according tothe result that the second apparatus proximity estimated time minus theinfrastructure connection creation estimated time is smaller than thefirst time threshold value and the second apparatus proximity estimatedtime minus the second data transmission estimated time is greater thanthe second time threshold value.
 8. A direct mode communication networkapparatus, comprising: an information retrieving unit, being configuredto retrieve a piece of client information of a client direct modecommunication apparatus; a processing unit, being configured to:determine a network status estimated time and a network switchingestimated time of the client direct mode communication apparatusaccording to the client information; determine that the network statusestimated time is smaller than the network switching estimated time; andperform network switching of the client direct mode communicationapparatus according to the result that the network status estimated timeis smaller than the network switching estimated time.
 9. The direct modecommunication network apparatus of claim 8, wherein the network statusestimated time is one of an off-network estimated time and an in-networkestimated time.
 10. The direct mode communication network apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: determinethat the network status estimated time minus the network switchingestimated time is smaller than a preset time threshold value; andperform network switching of the client direct mode communicationapparatus according to the result that the network status estimated timeminus the network switching estimated time is smaller than the presettime threshold value.
 11. A direct mode communication network apparatus,comprising: an information retrieving unit, being configured to retrievea first communication power of a first client direct mode communicationapparatus and a second communication power of a second client directmode communication apparatus; a processing unit, being configured to:determine a first relative communication power between the first clientdirect mode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus according to the first communication power andthe second communication power; determine that the first relativecommunication power is greater than a direct mode communication requiredpower; and create a direct mode communication connection between thefirst client direct mode communication apparatus and the second clientdirect mode communication apparatus according to the result that thefirst relative communication power is greater than the direct modecommunication required power.
 12. The direct mode communication networkapparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is further configuredto: determine that the first relative communication power iscontinuously greater than the direct mode communication required powerwithin a time period; and create the direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatusand the second client direct mode communication apparatus according tothe result that the first relative communication power is continuouslygreater than the direct mode communication required power within thetime period.
 13. The direct mode communication network apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:determine that the first relative communication power minus the directmode communication required power is greater than a preset powerthreshold value; and create the direct mode communication connectionbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus according to theresult that the first relative communication power minus the direct modecommunication required power is greater than the preset power thresholdvalue.
 14. The direct mode communication network apparatus of claim 11,wherein the information retrieving unit is further configured toretrieve a third communication power of the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and a fourth communication power of the secondclient direct mode communication apparatus, and the processing unit isfurther configured to: determine a second relative communication powerbetween the first client direct mode communication apparatus and thesecond client direct mode communication apparatus according to the thirdcommunication power and the fourth communication power; determine thatthe second relative communication power is greater than the direct modecommunication required power; and maintain the direct mode communicationconnection between the first client direct mode communication apparatusand the second client direct mode communication apparatus according tothe result that the second relative communication power is greater thanthe direct mode communication required power.
 15. The direct modecommunication network apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processing unitis further configured to: determine that the second relativecommunication power is continuously greater than the direct modecommunication required power within a time period; and maintain thedirect mode communication connection between the first client directmode communication apparatus and the second client direct modecommunication apparatus according to the result that the second relativecommunication power is continuously greater than the direct modecommunication required power within the time period.
 16. The direct modecommunication network apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processing unitis further configured to: determine that the second relativecommunication power minus the direct mode communication required poweris greater than a preset power threshold value; and maintain the directmode communication connection between the first client direct modecommunication apparatus and the second client direct mode communicationapparatus according to the result that the second relative communicationpower minus the direct mode communication required power is greater thanthe preset power threshold value.
 17. A direct mode communicationnetwork apparatus, comprising: an information retrieving unit, beingconfigured to retrieve a communication power of a client direct modecommunication apparatus; a processing unit, being configured to:determine a relative communication power according to the communicationpower; determine that the relative communication power is greater than acommunication required power; and perform network switching of theclient direct mode communication apparatus according to the result thatthe relative communication power is greater than the communicationrequired power.
 18. The direct mode communication network apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:determine that the communication power is continuously greater than thecommunication required power within a time period; and perform networkswitching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according tothe result that the communication power is continuously greater than thecommunication required power within the time period.
 19. A direct modecommunication network apparatus, comprising: an information retrievingunit, being configured to retrieve a communication power of a clientdirect mode communication apparatus; a processing unit, being configuredto: determine a relative communication power according to thecommunication power; determine that the relative communication power isgreater than a communication required power; and perform networkswitching of the client direct mode communication apparatus according tothe result that the relative communication power is smaller than thecommunication required power.
 20. The direct mode communication networkapparatus of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is further configuredto: determine that the communication power is continuously smaller thanthe communication required power within a time period; and performnetwork switching of the client direct mode communication apparatusaccording to the result that the communication power is continuouslysmaller than the communication required power within the time period.